ICD-10: L24.0

The diagnosis of Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD-10 code L24.0) due to detergents involves several criteria that healthcare professionals typically consider:

1. Clinical History: A thorough patient history is essential. This includes identifying any recent exposure to detergents or other irritants that could have triggered the dermatitis. The history should also assess the duration and severity of symptoms.

2. Symptoms: Common symptoms of irritant contact dermatitis include redness, itching, burning, and swelling of the skin. These symptoms usually appear in areas that have been in direct contact with the irritant, such as the hands or forearms.

3. Exclusion of Allergic Contact Dermatitis: It is crucial to differentiate irritant contact dermatitis from allergic contact dermatitis. This involves ruling out any relevant contact allergies, which may require patch testing to identify specific allergens.

4. Physical Examination: A physical examination of the affected skin is performed to assess the extent and nature of the dermatitis. The appearance of the skin can provide clues about the irritant's nature and the duration of exposure.

5. Response to Treatment: The diagnosis may also be supported by the patient's response to treatment. If symptoms improve with the removal of the irritant and the application of appropriate topical treatments, this can further confirm the diagnosis.

6. Documentation of Exposure: For a definitive diagnosis, there should be documented evidence of exposure to the irritant (in this case, detergents) that is quantitatively likely to cause contact dermatitis without any relevant contact allergy [1][4][6].

These criteria help ensure that the diagnosis is accurate and that appropriate treatment can be initiated.